We wanted to start a glossary of common terms for anyone who may be confused over the large number of abbreviations and words created for health and safety or for anyone who wants a quick reference.
Click on the words below to find more information on a topic.
BBP - BBP is the short version of Blood Borne Pathogens. (See Bloodborne Pathogens)
Bloodborne Pathogens - Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. The most common include HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), HBV (Hepatitis B), and HCV (Hepatitis C).
CFR - CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations. (See Code of Federal Regulations)
Code of Federal Regulations - The Code of Federal Regulations is a book of regulations created by government agencies covering a variety of health and safety topics and training.
Department of Transportation - The Department of Transportation develops and maintains the country’s transportation system and infrastructure, including rules and regulations for those driving on them.
Design for Environment - This course teaches students how to be more environmentally friendly from selecting materials to manufacturing.
DFE- DFE stands for Design for Environment (See Design for Environment)
DOT - DOT is the abbreviation for the Department of Transportation. (See Department of Transportation)
Dress Out - A dress out exercise is required for some training courses and involves training in the specific personal protective equipment that the training course requires.
EHS - EHS is the abbreviation for Environmental Health and Safety. It also is commonly referred to as ESH and SHE.
Emergency Management System – The Emergency Management System is a plan or system to respond to an emergency, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Emergency Response Team – Employees designated to respond to respond to emergencies before public agencies arrive.
EMS - EMS is the abbreviation for an Emergency Management System. (See Emergency Management System)
Environmental Protection Agency - The Environmental Protection Agency creates and enforces environmental laws across The United States.
EPA - EPA an abbreviation for The Environmental Protection Agency. (See Environmental Protection Agency)
ERT – ERT is the abbreviation for Emergency Response Teams (See Emergency Response Team)
GHS - GHS is an abbreviation for The Globally Harmonized System. (See Globally Harmonized System)
Globally Harmonized System - The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals was created as a uniform way of communication hazards from beginning to end-user.
H2S - H2S is the abbreviation for Hydrogen Sulfide. (See Hydrogen Sulfide)
Hazardous Chemical - A hazardous chemical is any chemical that is a physical or health hazard.
Hazard Communication - Hazard Communication is a set of processes and standards that anyone dealing with chemicals must know to communicate hazards to others.
Hazard Communication Standard - The Hazard Communication Standard was designed to create a uniform way to communicate hazards from start to end-user.
Hazardous Materials - Hazardous materials are any material that can pose a reasonable risk to health, property, or the environment.
HAZCOM - HAZCOM is the abbreviation for Hazard Communication. (See Hazard Communication)
HAZMAT - HAZMAT is the abbreviation for hazardous materials. (See hazardous materials)
HAZWOPER - HAZWOPER is the abbreviation for hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
- This is the set of OSHA guidelines to regulate hazardous waste operations and emergency services in the United States and its territories.
HCS - HCS stands for the Hazard Communication Standard. (See Hazard Communication Standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide - Hydrogen Sulfide is a colorless gas known for its rotten egg smell, which is extremely flammable and toxic to people. H2S gas has become a huge problem for employees across the country.
IATA - Is the abbreviation for The International Air Transportation Association. (See International Air Transportation Association)
IDLH - IDLH is the abbreviation for immediately dangerous to life and health.
International Air Transportation Association - The International Air Association, is the trade association for world airlines. It also creates standards that OSHA follows relating to shipping hazardous materials by air.
Lockout Tagout - Lockout Tagout is a course that teaches students how to control hazardous energy from machines to keep themselves and other employees safe.
LOTO - LOTO is the abbreviation for Lockout Tagout. (See Lockout Tagout)
Material Safety Data Sheets - Material Safety Data Sheets is a document used to communicate potential hazards of chemicals, chemical compounds, and chemical mixtures and includes 16 sections.
Medical Emergency Response Team - Teams comprised of medical professionals who help reduce respiratory or cardiac arrests in the first 15 minutes of an emergency.
MERT - MERT is the abbreviation for a Medical Emergency Response Team. (See Medical Emergency Response Team)
MSDS - MSDS is short for a material safety data sheet. (See Material Safety Data Sheets)
National Safety Council - The National Safety Council is a non-profit government agency that promotes health and safety in The United States.
NSC - NSC is the abbreviation for The National Safety Council (See National Safety Council)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - This is the administration that creates rules and regulations to maintain workers' health and safety across The United States.
OPIM - OPIM is the abbreviation for other potentially infectious materials.
OSHA - OSHA is the abbreviation for The Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Personal Protective Equipment - Personal Protective Equipment is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments/equipment designed to protect from exposure to dangerous or hazardous materials.
PPE - PPE is the abbreviation for Personal Protective Equipment. (See Personal Protective Equipment)
Refresher Training - Refresher training must be done to keep certification on a specific topic current and compliant with the applicable governing body. Some refresher training courses are required annually or every three years, depending on the course.
Safety Data Sheets - In 2012, with the introduction of the Globally Harmonized System, safety data sheets were renamed material safety data sheets. (See Material Safety Data Sheets)
SDS - SDS is the abbreviation for safety data sheets. (See Safety Data Sheets)
VILT - VILT is the abbreviation for Virtual Instructor-Led Training (See Virtual Instructor-Led Training)
Virtual Instructor-Led Training - Virtual Instructor-Led Training is a new king of training taught online. It differs from normal online courses because an instructor leads the whole class, much like an in-person class.
